Earth

by Jaymin Eve

  Lucy fluttered up to him. “What happened?” she asked as I stepped closer.

  Brace wasn’t out yet and the wall was back up between us.

  “We managed to free Josian. We had to sever the energy extractors,” Colton said, running a hand through his blond hair. “He’s fine, but needs time to recuperate.” He turned his white-blue eyes on Lallielle. “He’s asking for you, Lalli, you should go to him.”

  His words shot relief through me. I needed to see my father before I left too, but I’d give Lallielle a few moments first.

  My mother paused just long enough to drop a kiss on my cheek before dashing into the glass horror house.

  “Where’s Brace?” I asked.

  Colton’s features hardened. “Josian was easy. There were only minor securities on his cage, and he should make a full recovery. Que, on the other hand …”

  “Bastard,” I heard Lasandra mutter.

  Colton continued. “We can’t figure out how to break the tank’s seal. The wires were simple to disconnect, but there’s very strong energy around his actual tank. Ancient energy. Brace and Grantham are trying to unravel it now, but they think it’s going to take a while.”

  I fidgeted a bit. “I don’t have time to wait for him; I have to get to Earth. We’re on the clock and the last Seventine could be released at any moment. Plus the convergence is closing in.”

  Colton nodded. “I know. Brace is giving it one last go. Then he’ll leave it to Grantham and a few others. They’ve sent out a call to the history keepers, Nos and Jedi especially.”

  Nos was Ria’s father, and also a visionary. He held memories passed down by all the past visionaries. If the information was known to Walkers, he was the best bet for remembering it.

  “Abby and I can go to Earth without you … you know, if you need to stay here,” Lucy said.

  Lasandra clasped her hands together, the noise loud enough to echo across the space. “I think that’s a great plan. The girls are more than strong enough to venture to that little world.” She said this like Earth was a hick country town out in the boonies. “Everyone else should remain on Abernath to contain whatever destruction Que is about to unleash.”

  Colton snorted, followed by a growl. “No way in any of the worlds will Lucy or Red be going to Earth without us.”

  His tone brooked no argument, and I knew that the boys had already discussed it inside and nothing would change their minds. My relief was instant.

  “No argument from me,” I said. “You and Brace are like ganger deterrents. They don’t like taking on anyone who looks more badass than them. Plus, he might need me to keep his butt safe.”

  Colton’s expression morphed into one of pure amusement. “Oh, man, I can’t wait to tell him you said that.”

  Lucy had just narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth when a throat cleared behind us.

  “I think I’m man enough to be okay with Abby keeping me safe,” the deep voice said, “and my butt.”

  My heart rate increased as he stepped into view. I drank him in, all six and a half feet of pure bronzed beauty. My mate was freaking hot; way, way hot. I owed the fates like a bottle of wine and some flowers, because they had lined me up with pure perfection. And it went so much deeper than his looks. The way Brace had stood by me, even through my complete effups. Even when I had broken our bond without consulting him. He fought for me, for us, and he was completely deserving of everything good in all the worlds. I just needed to deal with this Seventine crap, so we could get back to the good.

  I didn’t hesitate, moving rapidly to his side. Distance between us felt wrong. “What happened? Is Dad okay?”

  Brace’s arms wrapped around me and he drew me closer, the heat of his body seeping into mine. “Yes, he’s with Lallielle, and they’re going to take a doorway back to First World.”

  I lurched forward. “I want to see him first.”

  Brace’s arms tightened, stopping me from diving through the front door. “Calm down, Red. No one’s leaving without you. I just wanted to update everyone before I took you through.”

  Lasandra straightened, her cold expression cutting right through me. I couldn’t understand why her hatred toward me was growing, and I had neither the time nor inclination right then to deal with it.

  “What’s the update, Brace?” Her focus was exclusively on her son.

  “I’ve contacted a few of my technologically inclined Abernaths. They’ll be working to break open Que’s tank before he completes his new body,” he said. “Also Jedi and Nos are researching for me. They’re in the war library. Que will be moved to the dark mountain. I can’t bring all of the men here; they’re needed there.”

  Lasandra pursed her lips, before giving a few little nods. “Yes, it would be better to move him rather than bring everyone here to Abernath.” Oh. She didn’t like strangers on her world. “I’ll help them. I have much knowledge from my father … your grandpere. This technology might have come from him.”

  Brace smiled. “I was hoping you’d say that. Your knowledge is invaluable.”

  Lasandra was gone then with a quick kiss on her son’s cheek. The rest of us were invisible, which was a hundred times better than being the focus of her sharp tongue.

  Lucy shuddered as soon as the blond hair disappeared into Que’s house. “Anyone ever told you that your mom is an uber-bitch?” She made the cross symbol, as if warding off evil.

  Colton snort-laughed before trying to cover it up with a cough.

  Brace didn’t sweat Lucy’s bluntness. He was nothing if not honest. “Yeah, she’s having a moment right now. It’s hard to know what to do. Before she was taken prisoner she barely had a bad word to say about anyone. Que tried plenty of times over the years to destroy her, but she stayed pure. Now, though …” His features tightened. “We’ll just have to give her time.”

  Well, if we all survived, we’d have plenty of time up our sleeves. We were basically immortal. Or at least really hard to kill.

  By then Lallielle had had a few minutes with Josian. I wished I could give them longer, but I was on the countdown. I started toward the door.

  “We’ll wait here for you.” Lucy said.

  I paused, throwing my head around to catch her gaze.

  “No need to crowd Jos when he’s probably all discombobulated.”

  I smirked. “Someone found a dictionary last night.”

  Lucy’s expression morphed into a grimace. “Hanging around these old dudes is rubbing off on me in the worst possible way. Big words are for losers.”

  Colton and Brace exchanged looks. The wolf-Walker crossed his arms, muscles in the biceps straining. “I have never, in my life, used the word ‘discombobulated’. And I’m not that old.”

  “Keep telling yourself that,” I said, turning to give him a commiserating pat on the arm. “I’ll be back out in a minute, and then we can head to First World.”

  “I thought we were going straight to Earth.” Lucy’s eyebrows rose to almost meet her blond-and-green streaked hair.

  “I want to check in with the girls, make sure they’re okay. When we left, the battle was on the brink of starting. I just … I have to check them.”

  No one said anything. They all understood the bond I shared with the girls. It was ancient and it was important. Moving quickly, I strode through the glass building, Brace right on my heels.

  “Is he still in the basement?” I murmured, my words hasty.

  Brace’s low tone was both soothing and spine-tingling. “Yes, Grantham will take your parents back to Angelisian as soon as you’ve seen Josian.”

  Oh. “So they won’t go to the dark mountains?” Secretly, I was really happy about that.

  “Not until Josian has recovered. He’s vulnerable right now, and we don’t want to give anyone a chance to take advantage of that.”

  I would personally be drop-kicking anyone who tried to take advantage of my family again. Effing lalunas. Freaking Que. Stupid Seventine. All total asshats.

  The j
ourney through the ugliest-building-to-exist seemed to take far less time than earlier. I wasn’t as nervous. I knew what was going to jump out at me now. Taking the stairs two at a time, I was still amazed by how much more graceful I was now than before my Walker powers enlightened.

  The starkness of the basement room was very obvious about halfway down. Brace had done a real number on it. It was probably all kinds of wrong, but I got a little turned on when he went crazy-powerful-Walker, and blew shit up. Working hard to conceal my current thoughts, I hoped the pink flush of arousal was fading from my warm cheeks.

  My eyes remained locked on the small group. They were crouched around robo-Que’s tank. Josian was draped between Grantham and Lallielle. My eyes scanned him, searching for any injuries. He seemed smaller, despite the fact he topped out near seven foot. The fact that his power was weakened had impacted his aura. When I opened my energy up and searched hard, I could sometimes see auras. I was thankful that the beautiful pink and silver of my parents’ bond seemed to be intact. Lallielle might have been spitting mad at Josian before he disappeared, but no one could doubt the love and devotion which was always there under her anger.

  “Baby girl!”

  The moment I heard his voice I ran, my feet swift across the cold, dank space. I had to stop from throwing myself at him. He definitely looked worse for wear.

  A grin split his features. Those bronze eyes still held some of the old twinkle in them. “Don’t you dare treat me like an invalid.” Massive arms opened and he held his own weight as Lallielle and Grantham stepped aside.

  I ran into him, wrapping my arms tightly around his broad back. The scents of home, Walker, and princeps surrounded me. Technically Josian was no longer the princeps, but nothing official had stripped him of that title, and I could still feel the mantle of leadership on him. He was the true princeps and every Walker knew it. It was why the current stand-in princeps of Doreen was so pissed off and trying to throw his domination around. Like that would ever control Walkers. They had to respect you and respect had to be earned.

  I don’t know how long I stood there in my father’s arms. I probably could have stayed in his comforting embrace forever, hoping like all little girls that their parents would shield them from the horrors of the world. It was only as he stumbled against me that I remembered he was weak and needed rest.

  “I love you, Dad,” I said as I leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. He had to drop his head for me to reach. “You rest and I’ll see you either at Angelisian or the dark mountain.”

  He raised a hand and cupped one side of my face. “I’m so proud of you. No matter how this ends up, know that you exceed every single expectation I had of how incredible you would be. You’re a shining star, gifted to your mother and me. We’re blessed.”

  I blinked a few times, a wash of emotional heat surging over me, bringing with it a sprinkle of tears. Those words touched me deep in my heart, in a place which I had shut off for most of my life on Earth. I’d had no idea of my parents then, thinking that I’d been abandoned. Wondering who they were and if I had a family out there. I’d never had anyone be proud of me in this way, and it meant so much to hear it.

  Before I could splutter out any of my half-formed, random and emotional thoughts, Josian dropped a kiss on my forehead and then turned to grasp onto his best friend’s arm. Grantham took the strain with ease.

  “I’ll stay with Jos and Lallielle for a while. I’ve let my second know and he’s keeping me abreast of the situation at the dark mountains.” Grantham addressed me as if I were one of the war council.

  Almost as if I were the leader and he was apprising me of his plans.

  I’d noticed recently that more and more of this type of Walker respect was being thrown my way. I knew it was in part to do with my melding bond with Brace. I was legitimately one of the leaders of Abernath now. But, more importantly, I was a half-Walker. A mythical creature. And the only hope our worlds had of not turning into an energy soup for the Seventine.

  I was humbled to think that my actions had garnered respect from these powerful and ancient beings. Despite my many mistakes, I must be doing something right.

  Brace laughed in my mind. Yep, he said, you’re adorable.

  I wrinkled my nose at him, but didn’t bother arguing with his words. We all left the basement then. Grantham was practically carrying Josian, Lallielle on his other side. I could see my proud father would only allow so much help; he was too alpha to let go of control completely.

  Our progress was slow. It was annoying that no doorways could be opened this side of the river on Abernath. Hmmm. No doorways, but I wondered if I could trace. It was worth a shot. The three of them were already touching, so I just reached out and linked my hand with my mother. She squeezed my palm. I didn’t clue any of them in, just in case it didn’t work. I didn’t need to close my eyes anymore. I just brought forth a mental picture – the white living room, with the large windows facing the beach – and reach for one of the shiny tethers which littered the space.

  With a whoosh our group was pulled through time and space; it took no longer than a heartbeat, but it sometimes felt like an eternity. I almost laughed when I got my first glance of their open-mouthed faces.

  “Sorry,” I gasped, still trying not to laugh. “I didn’t actually expect that to work on Abernath.”

  Grantham was the first to recover. His booming voice didn’t sound angry, so I think he was okay with my forced tracing. “You should know by now that you’re not bound by the same rules as the rest of us.”

  I did know that, but being one of a kind made it difficult to know what my rules were. I was kind of just winging it and hoping for the best.

  “Thank you, baby girl. That was much better than trekking across Qu … Brace’s world.” Josian’s drawn features lifted.

  Where did you go, sweetheart? Brace was just teasing me. He’d sensed my intentions before I’d traced. He hadn’t known if it would work either.

  Be right back. “I’ve got to go now. We’re going to the dark mountains to check on the half-Walkers and then straight to Earth. The last girl is calling to me.” Like a dutiful daughter, I updated my parentals on my comings and goings. “Stay safe and call me if any trouble comes around.”

  Josian snorted. “Now she thinks she takes care of us,” he said to his mate. “Cheeky brat.”

  I grinned. “That’s what kids are for: helping their parents when they become frail and elderly.”

  Something I would never actually experience. My parents looked like they were thirty and always would.

  Josian rubbed at his brow. “I feel that I should defend myself here … I’m not elderly, just well preserved.”

  Lallielle laughed, the peal of her sweet melody echoing around the room. It had been so long since I’d heard her happiness; it lifted my spirits. I wasn’t the only one. Josian moved toward her, as if the sound was drawing him in. Calling to him. I knew my family would be okay while I was gone. Grantham would watch out for them and they would have some bonding time. Which they needed after all the laluna drama.

  There were kisses and hugs all around, and then I prepared to trace back to Brace.

  Josian stopped me just before I left. “Watch your back, baby girl, I have no idea what’s coming now, and that makes me nervous. I would forsake much in these worlds to keep you safe, and as soon as my energy returns I’ll be fighting right beside you.”

  I knew that without a shadow of a doubt.

  Waving goodbye, I grabbed a tether on Abernath and traced back to the front step of the glass building. Brace, Colton, Lucy, and Cerberus were waiting for me.

  “Ready, peeps?” I asked, preparing myself for the next move.

  It was time to get serious. We were running out of time. First World battle, here we come.

  Chapter 4

  To the untrained eye the area around the dark mountains was pure chaos. On the side closest to the mountain itself was Team Awesome: seven Walker clans, First World’s arm
y, and an array of faerie creatures. Including the pixie clan, of which Lucy was the princess; and the faerie clan, of which she was also a princess. Yep, my BFF was a double-princess – probably explained her attitude.

  The other side was Team Douchebags: weird tree entities, little fire-lizards, zombies, and an array of other soul-sucking assfaces created by the Seventine.

  Right then the creatures were reluctant to engage Team Awesome fully; fighting had only broken out in small pockets. On the far right border the Relli clan, some pixies and sprites were fighting a pod of tree entities. Those suckers were fast and deadly; you couldn’t let them get their branches around you or they’d cut you right in half. And unfortunately they were pretty impervious to fire. Though, on the plus side, the sprites seemed to have some sort of magic which stunned them and gave our army a chance to chop them down. Together our people were keeping the Seventines’ evil minions at bay, stopping them from reaching the dark mountain.

  Some of the leaders believed that the dark creatures were trying to bring the mountain down so that the prison within would be weakened. I doubted that; right then the prison was extra strong. Our plan to rid the worlds of the evil laluna had worked and now they were part of the cage’s security. The prison itself would never fall, but bringing down the mountain might help to weaken First World, and it would be a right old pain in the butt if we had to dig through a ton of rock to find the prison again.

  I didn’t linger with the army. I was only there to check in with my half-Walker girls. We were working on our bonds, strengthening them, and that required time and proximity to each other. I knew where they were; I could feel each of them at a cellular level. I was the conduit, the key to bringing all of our elemental powers together. Their energy clustered near the entrance into the dark mountain. I was surprised to feel that Talina had already returned from Spurn. Which was perfect: I would get to see them all in one place.

  Everyone followed as I wove through the masses. I had a pretty good idea of which race, clan or species most of the beings were from. Even though the Walkers had no marks on display.